The Democratic Republic of the Congo offers extraordinary natural wonders including Virunga National Park, home to mountain gorillas, and the mighty Congo River. Despite challenges, the DRC boasts incredible biodiversity, vibrant Kinshasa culture, and some of Africa's most pristine wilderness areas.
- Public
- No functional public transport system for tourists. Informal minibuses (esprit de mort) are overcrowded and unsafe. Not recommended under any circumstances for visitors.
- Taxi
- Street taxis widely available but require price negotiation. Yango app (Kinshasa only) provides safer, more reliable service. Hotel-arranged taxis best for late night.
- Rental
- 4x4 rental practical only if hiring an experienced local driver - roads outside cities require local knowledge, checkpoints require French/Lingala speakers.
- Walking
- Safe for short distances in Gombe district during daylight hours. Not safe in other areas without a local guide, especially in markets.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- $30-50 private taxi from N'djili to Gombe
- Taxi Info
- Negotiate fixed price before entering vehicle; only use taxis arranged by your hotel or licensed operators
- Shuttle
- $20-40 hotel shuttle service
- Shuttle Info
- Pre-arrange with hotel before departure; most luxury hotels offer airport pickup
- Bus
- No public bus service from N'djili Airport to city center
- Bus Info
- Public buses do not serve the airport reliably
- Private
- $60-80 pre-booked private transfer with named driver
- Private Info
- Book through hotel concierge for safest and most reliable service
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Kinshasa has informal minibus system (esprit de mort). Fares $0.25-0.50 but not recommended for tourists due to safety concerns and overcrowding. Buses are unmarked and chaotic.
Alternatives
Taxis (negotiate fare), Yango/Uber app (Kinshasa only), motorcycle taxis boda-boda (Goma), private driver hire ($80-150/day)
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Standard taxis widely available but without meters - always negotiate price before entering. Kinshasa fares: airport to center $30-50, short city trips $5-10, cross-city $10-20. Goma: $5-15 for most trips.
- Apps
- Yango, Uber
- App Names
- Yango, Uber
- Typical Fare
- $8-15 average city ride in Kinshasa
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Long-distance buses connect major cities but conditions poor and journey times extremely long. TRANSCO and Express Mambote operate routes but not recommended for tourists.
Shared
Shared taxis operate on some popular routes between smaller towns
Flights
Domestic flights essential for inter-city travel. Kinshasa-Goma $200-400, Kinshasa-Lubumbashi $250-450. Congo Airways, CAA, Busy Bee are main operators.
Private
4x4 car hire from $80-150/day; hiring a driver additionally ($30-50/day) strongly recommended
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
N'djili International Airport (Kinshasa)
From centre: 25 km east of city center
Options: Hotel shuttle (pre-arranged, $20-40); Private taxi ($30-50, negotiate before departure); Rideshare apps limited availability; Car rental desks available ($60-100/day)
Goma International Airport
From centre: 5 km north of Goma center
Options: Taxi to city center ($10-15); Hotel pickup (arrange in advance, $15-25); Motorcycle taxi/boda-boda ($3-5); Walking possible but not recommended with luggage
Lubumbashi International Airport
From centre: 8 km from city center
Options: Taxi to center ($15-25); Hotel shuttle (pre-arranged, $20-30); Car rental available ($50-80/day)
Kisangani Bangoka International Airport
From centre: 12 km from Kisangani
Options: Taxi to city ($20-30); Pre-arranged hotel transport ($25-35); Limited public transport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Yango
Best ride-hailing app for Kinshasa - Russian Yandex product with good coverage in Gombe and surrounding districts. Safer than street taxis with fare shown in advance.
Uber
Available in limited areas of Kinshasa. Coverage less comprehensive than Yango but useful as backup option.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Always negotiate taxi fares before entering the vehicle and agree on USD amount - meters don't exist and disputes are common
Download the Yango app before arriving in Kinshasa - it's the Uber equivalent and significantly safer than hailing street taxis
Book domestic flights well in advance and reconfirm 48 hours before - schedules change frequently and airlines sometimes cancel without notice
For day trips outside Kinshasa, hire a trusted driver for the full day ($80-100 all-in) rather than attempting public transport
Always carry document copies in a separate location from originals - police checkpoints are frequent and documents must be produced on demand
Congo River ferries to Brazzaville depart from Beach Ngobila port - arrive early (6:00 AM) to clear customs, bring passport